New Delhi, March 5 -- Defending Brazilian and South American champion Flamengo hired Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim on Wednesday after shocking fans by firing Filipe Luis the day before.

The 51-year-old former Monaco coach signed a deal until the end of 2027, the Rio de Janeiro club said.

Luis was fired hours after Flamengo beat tiny Madureira 8-0 in a Rio state league semifinal. This year his team lost the trophies of the Brazilian Supercup to local rival Corinthians and the South American Recopa to Argentina's Lanus, triggering the supporters' anger.

Many fans, pundits and former Flamengo players expressed support for Luis after his firing and expressed disbelief with the decision of club chairman Luiz Eduardo Baptista.

Only two m...